HAMILTON (Canada) - Former FIBA Central Board Member and Canada Basketball CEO Michele O'Keefe has been praised for the substantial contribution she has made to the sport during a distinguished career. O'Keefe dedicated her time to FIBA between 2014 and 2023 serving terms on both the FIBA Central Board and the FIBA Americas Board, on which she served as Vice President, and used her expertise and leadership to make a significant positive mark on the global game. Her accomplishments and influence were highlighted by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis during a recent visit to Hamilton, where he attended the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers matchup between Canada and Jamaica.
Zagklis said: "We will always be very grateful to Michele for what she has given to our sport in her various FIBA roles and not least, during her time as a FIBA Central Board Member. Many of the positive decisions that were made during her tenure have been important in driving the growth and popularity of basketball globally. "She was particularly instrumental in helping to drive forward the inclusion of the 'Women in Basketball' Strategic Priority at the 2019 FIBA Congress. Her passion for women's sport and her advocacy, alongside her advice and knowledge was a very persuasive and impactful mix. "This also came alongside being one of the co-founders of the FIBA Adelante program in Americas - something that has also been very important for our sport as the first women in leadership program worldwide," continued Zagklis
Michele's FIBA legacy is hugely appreciated. I think we can agree that we have been very fortunate and thankful to have had such an exceptional person involved for so long.
Throughout her extensive career, O'Keefe has positively shaped sport policy and advocated sporting excellence at all levels.
The Director of Athletics and Student Engagement at Niagara College, she has been handed numerous accolades for her work. In 2024, she received the distinguished CICan (Colleges and Institutes Canada) Award of Excellence, in recognition of her outstanding leadership. In the same year, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) Women in Business Awards. This eye-catching list of personal honors also includes a Leadership in Sport Award, which she received at the Canadian Sport Awards, while she was also a runner-up at the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Awards in 2020. FIBA